San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG)
HR&A helped to transform San Joaquin County’s approach to affordable housing investment by guiding creation of a dedicated Housing Trust Fund. Our work with the countywide San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) evaluated affordable housing needs, alternative governance models, and funding sources. This resulted in establishment of a new nonprofit, tax-exempt subsidiary of SJCOG that has secured new financial resources and is planning to make its first project funding awards in 2026.
HR&A worked with SJCOG staff and an advisory group representing cities, developers, nonprofits, and stakeholders to evaluate housing and homelessness needs and priorities countywide. We assessed potential administrative and governance models for the trust fund while analyzing both funding requirements and the feasibility of various revenue sources to support operations and investment. This comprehensive evaluation positioned SJCOG to make informed decisions about organizational structure and financial sustainability.
Based on our analysis, SJCOG was successful in establishing a new nonprofit, tax-exempt entity as a subsidiary of SJCOG. We then supported the SJCOG in framing required administrative functions and procedures, staffing requirements, an initial annual operating budget, target funding resources, and a competitive process for selecting a Housing Trust Fund administrator. HR&A also assisted SJCOG staff in applying for funding from the state’s Local Housing Trust Fund program, and SJCOG succeeded in receiving a $5.0 million award. Together with other new resources, the SJCOG Housing Trust Fund now has sufficient funding to make its first commitments for affordable housing developments in 2026.
